Therapists for college students near Old Zionsville, PA
Hi! I help clients cultivate awareness, insight, and self-compassion so that they can know themselves in a deeper way and live more authentically. I'm level 1 trained in Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS), which means I can help you get to know and heal the parts of you who feel stressed, anxious, burnt out, or depressed. We do this in a gentle, trauma-informed way. My practice is also informed by studies in psychodynamic theory, self-compassion, mindfulness, creative arts, and Buddhist psychology. No matter what approach you feel most comfortable exploring, I believe that safety, consent, and the therapeutic relationship are the foundation for healing.
On the outside, you’re a success- but on the inside, you're secretly miserable. Your emotional reactions are unpredictable, extreme, or out of control. You feel helpless to change and you worry that you will feel this way for the rest of your life. You may have felt depressed, anxious, or both, for years - or have a history of trauma that still affects you. You wish that you had more control over the way that you feel - that you didn’t lose it so quickly. You’d love to strengthen the meaningful relationships in your life and be able to open up more freely. And of course you’d like to reduce any self harm urges and actions. I can help you. The most frightening step is asking for help and you’re already here. I make therapy convenient with weekend/evening hours, available online to individuals residing in Pennsylvania, Kansas, and all states with enacted PSYPACT legislation (https://psypact.site-ym.com/page/psypactmap) Please note that clients from New Jersey are not being accepted at this time due to state legislation issues related to telehealth providers. - Level 3 trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (through Behavioral Tech) - Level 2 trained in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (through AEDP Institute) - Certified in Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure (through the Department of Veterans Affairs) PLEASE NOTE: Sessions are online only.
I am a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience on staff in college counseling centers and in private practice. I work to form a trusting relationship with students so that they have a safe space to work through the challenges they are facing. As a member of the LGBTQ community, I am especially focused on providing inclusive, affirming care for students whose identities may not be represented or supported as well as they could be in the available campus resources - whether that be by virtue of sexuality and gender, or other facets of life experience. If you are feeling stuck academically or socially, struggling with mood or anxiety, trying to figure out who you are and your place at school and at home - I am here to help you find your way through it.
Supporting individuals, couples and families through life’s complex phases by providing a safe, compassionate space to explore their feelings and build resilience, using a grounded, present-focused approach to foster healing and growth. I maintain a special interest in supporting men through societal expectations that discourage emotional vulnerability, leaving many to cope silently with stress, isolation, or unresolved pain. Additionally, I have a passion for supporting children, adolescents and their families where they face mounting pressures from social media, academic demands, shifting family dynamics, and global uncertainty. Many struggle to make sense of their identity, emotions, and relationships in the midst of constant stimulation and comparison.
Valerie believes that everyone should be given an opportunity and have someone listen to them regardless of age, race, status, circumstances, etc. This sets her apart from others because just simply listening and caring, can make someone feel validated and respected. This approach completely changes one’s day or perspective and that means the world to Valerie. We all struggle from time to time, whether it be feeling anxious or depressed, struggling with core issues, and traumas. Therapy should be a safe space to explore these issues and learn more about ourselves in the process. As a therapist Valerie focus on individuals, families, and child/adolescent therapy. Together we can explore core issues of trauma, mood disorders, suicidality, depression, anxiety, negative behaviors, addictive behaviors, grief and loss, stage of life change, emotional regulation, co-parenting, attachment, family structure, and other life transitions.
I have practiced child, adolescent and adult psychiatry in Pittsburgh since 1976. I graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1972 and completed specialty training at the University of PIttsburgh School of Medicine/Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in 1976. I am a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, and bipolar disorders. My approach is to be thorough and to evaluate and treat each individual systematically and carefully. I have extensive experience with difficult to treat psychiatric conditions. I have a full time office manager and a 24 hour per day answering service. I am available for emergencies. Someone will always answer my telephone and all telephone calls are returned. My typical visits are from 20 to 60 minutes depending on the needs of each person.
I help my clients get results fast. Therapy isn't a complicated process. We meet, we talk about the expectations of therapy, identify specific treatment goals and map out a plan. Our work takes place in the boundaries of a safe, corrective emotional relationship. I put patients’ feelings into words, focus on symptom management and reduce their impact on personal and professional lives. I've been practicing as a licensed psychotherapist and clinical social worker for over 15 years. I use a CBT/ Solution Focused approach in helping patients reduce anxiety and elevate and stabilize depressed mood. I help people move toward wellness in a safe, non-judgemental space. Therapy works. It is about growth and evolution, and I've observed that there is great joy in embracing positive new behaviors based on this collaborative approach. I look forward to working with you via telehealth or in-person in our Squirrel Hill office.
Sometimes life feels big and fast, and really painful. You might be going through a major transition, dealing with a loss, or coping with intense stress. Whatever the cause, you’re left with the sense that things just aren’t right. Overwhelming as things feel, inside of you, there’s also wisdom and a great capacity to understand and heal what hurts, so that you feel more peace internally and experience more enjoyment as you navigate challenges, losses, stress–whatever life puts in your path. Together, our work will be to find and nourish the wisdom and ability that's already within you. I meet you with openness to all the parts of you, whether they’re critical or criticized, anxious or calm, heavy with sadness or energetic and driven. We work to access and open up the gifts these parts hold and to connect with the core you that’s so full of wisdom and vigor. Life slows down. Healing begins. And a brighter, clearer path opens up before you.
Hello! Much of my training was devoted to working in college counseling centers such as the University of Pennsylvania, MIT, and others. I primarily meet with young adults, including college students, graduate students, and the international student population in general. I also have niche experience working with all types of medical professionals. I would look forward to hearing from you.
Hi. I am glad you are on this journey to feel like yourself again. We have a variety of clinicians with different specialties, though we are all focused on growth and recovery - no matter where you are starting. We look forward to hearing from you. Lorie, our client care manager will return all emails or phone calls and get you set up with someone ASAP. Depending on your availability, we may even have appointments as soon as this week!
Feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or curious? Whether working through a new adjustment or struggling with communication, I offer a safe, inclusive space where you can feel heard, supported, and empowered. I am especially drawn to working with individuals, couples, and families navigating through life transitions, those in the LGBTQIA+ community, and those searching for a unique approach to this journey at their own pace. As a queer woman and Philadelphia local I bring lived experience and understanding, emphasizing a nonjudgmental stance as we navigate through this therapeutic journey I emphasize a systems-based approach, highlighting the importance of patterns and interconnections of relationships. I also work through an intersectional framework, understanding the unique interactions of identities that shape individual experience. As you bring your unique self to this experience, we will begin to unravel the complexities and contexts that hold importance, and with it I hope to empower you in each step going forward. I am currently accepting new clients, please reach out with any questions, or for a free 20 minute consultation!
I often work with individuals in recovery, teens, college students, young adults, and more. I work with LGBTQIA+ individuals focusing on self-discovery, empowerment, and identity exploration. I also work with individuals struggling with religious trauma or spiritual concerns.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I help college students and young adults who are struggling with over-thinking, excessive worrying, feeling overwhelmed, low mood or feeling frequently annoyed. I work with people who want healthier relationships and more self-confidence. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral and solution focused strategies to help people better understand their thoughts, behaviors and feelings. We then work as a team to identify realistic steps to help move things in a new direction. I offer support, but also teach specific skills to help people make change. Maybe you don't know what's wrong or what you need. I strive to create a warm, safe environment where we can figure that out together.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
I provide individual, couples, and family therapy in person in Philadelphia, and I can see clients virtually in most states including New York. Because I completed my postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania and was the director of Penn's O’Brien Center for Addiction Treatment, I have extensive experience with the needs of Penn students. I work well with student athletes, including those who are recovering from injuries. I am very familiar with the application processes for medical school, veterinary school, law school, and business school--and with careers in competitive industries such as consulting, investment banking, private equity, hedge funds, and real estate development. I can help students with burnout and academic stress as well as anxiety, perfectionism, and self-doubt. In addition to working with Penn Students, I also have experience with students from NYU, Georgetown, the University of Michigan, Yale, Brown, Fordham, Drexel, Bryn Mawr, Villanova, St. Joe's, Cornell, the University of Delaware, the University of Pittsburgh, American University, Penn State, Thomas Jefferson University, SUNY Upstate Medical University, and many other schools. I have helped students to find meaningful romantic relationships and to heal earlier relationship injuries that may be getting in the way of intimacy. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can be very helpful for overcoming childhood and relationship wounding. More broadly, I am skilled at helping with career coaching, anxiety, depression, trauma, insomnia, grief, loneliness and addiction. I also work with people to improve their relationships with social media and screens. My style is nonjudgmental and flexible. I often use EMDR to help people to work through stressful or traumatic events and to better understand themselves. Depending on the client’s goals, I can integrate CBT, DBT, and solution-oriented approaches. I have extensive training in IFS (Internal Family Systems) and, for couples, IFIO (Intimacy from the Inside Out). I also have specialized training in the CRAFT approach for how to talk to loved ones about addictive behaviors without hurting the relationship. Using EMDR, I can help people to address the root causes of complex issues like addiction. My background is in positive psychology and addiction. My postdoctoral fellowship at Penn was in positive psychology. From that I learned to help people to use their strengths to build happier lives and careers.
My offer to you something is simple and steady: a space where you do not have to perform, impress, or hold it all together. A space where you can exhale. I am especially drawn to working with people in transition especially college students standing on the edge of adulthood and professionalism. Transitions can shake your confidence. They can stir up old shame, old stories, old fears about not being enough. But they are also sacred turning points. They are invitations. Together, we will slow down and tune in. We will examine the narratives you’ve inherited and gently decide which ones no longer serve you. My hope for you is not that you leave therapy “better," but that you leave more fully yourself. I believe healing happens when someone sits with you long enough for you to remember your own strength. I will meet you with depth, honesty, humor and warmth. I will challenge you when needed, celebrate you when earned, and hold the mirror steady when you forget who you are. You do not have to worry alone. Everyone has a story. I look forward to hearing yours.
We offer both in-person and virtual (phone and teams) therapy options and have a diverse team of clinicians available to help match individuals based on their clinical needs, treatment goals, and preferences. Current Availability: Averaging less than 5 days from referral to intake Individual Therapy: Immediate availability DBT – Adults: No waitlist Medication Management: Available Spravato Services: Accepting referrals Program Highlight: Spravato Services Our Spravato (esketamine) program is currently accepting referrals for individuals who may benefit from an alternative treatment option for treatment-resistant depression. Spravato is an FDA-approved treatment administered in a monitored outpatient setting. Our team works with individuals throughout the referral and treatment process to help determine eligibility, coordinate care, and provide ongoing support. If you are working with an individual who has experienced persistent depressive symptoms despite previous treatment, we encourage you to reach out to our team to discuss whether Spravato may be an appropriate treatment option. Services Available at Preston Street Individual Outpatient Therapy Adult DBT Medication Management Perinatal Specialty Services Spravato Services We welcome referrals from hospitals, crisis programs, inpatient and residential programs, primary care providers, schools, and community organizations. Our team is happy to discuss clinical fit, answer questions, and assist with coordinating a smooth transition into care. Referral / Intake Information Phone: 215-895-5588, Option 2 Email: preston.intake@elwyn.org
The Anxiety & OCD Treatment Center of Central Pennsylvania specializes in treating anxiety disorders and OCD. Located in Central Pennsylvania, services are available virtually to treat folks across the entire state, including: Harrisburg (Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, Hershey, Carlisle), Pittsburgh, Erie, Wilkes-Barre, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Williamsport, State College, and York. We are a fully virtual private pay practice. We are also licensed in South Carolina and provide virtual treatment for all areas of the state. We are trained in evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, including: Exposure & Response Prevention, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, SPACE Treatment, Inference-based CBT, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Prolonged Exposure. Our therapists are experts in providing exposure-based treatment for OCD, anxiety, phobias, and PTSD. We provide treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, PTSD, Agoraphobia, Social Phobia, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobias, Perfectionism, Hoarding, Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, as well as sleep issues, eating disorders, loss, relationship difficulties, communication issues, depression, and life transitions.
Stuck. Overwhelmed. Burned out. Numb. Invisible. Frustrated. Lonely. Misunderstood. Feeling behind. Nagging Doubts. Procrastinating. Shame. Fear of making mistakes. Hiding your self. Lost. Empty. Confused. You aren't sure how you got here. This isn't the life you imagined. You are searching for RELIEF. You’ve already tried what you know to feel better & still feel stuck. Does any of this feel familiar? I know that it IS possible to live the life you want. You DESERVE to feel joy & fulfilled! Working with me, you will feel: Hope. Joy. Connection. Peace. Confident. Purpose. Balanced. Whole. Focused. Empowered. Motivated. With a seasoned psychologist as your guide, we will uncover stuck points & develop a plan. We can discover key insights, recognize patterns, overcome self-limiting thoughts, & expand your tools & choices. At the heart of our work is the relationship I build with you. I journey alongside you with honest feedback, flexible challenges, humor, and empathy. You can expect to come away from sessions feeling affirmed, celebrated, empowered, and "on track". Together we can set your goals in motion so that you can finally feel solace, hope, & thrive! Are you ready to not be ruled by anxiety? Are you ready for something more or stopping the exhausting cycle? Are you ready to finally remove the barriers keeping you from the life you crave? Let’s launch into action towards your potential and power. I’m ready when you are! Email me for a FREE 15 minute phone consultation today!